Septic Tank Pumping Service 97286

Septic systems are most often found in rural areas of 97286 and will consist of a series of pipes connecting it to the home, a septic tank, a filtering system to separate the solid waste from the liquid and connecting pipes that drain off the liquid waste into the yard, in a designated area called the drain field. These systems are often inspected before septic installation and tested afterwards, to make sure that it is operating properly.

Ownership of a septic tank system in 97286 means that everyone understands the importance of having regular septic tank inspection and septic pumping to catch potential problems before they happen. All too often, nothing is done until the worst happens, like the tank developing a leak, or it backs up into an area away from the drain field. Two easy ways to avoid this from happening include monitoring what goes into it as waste and remembering its physical location to avoid accidents.

When there is a septic system installation, the area where the septic tank is placed should be noted so that no accidental driving or parking of a heavy vehicle can occur. While most tanks are buried deep enough to avoid this, as a general principle it should be avoided to prevent damage to the tank in the future.

What are the health department regulations for a Septic Tank in 97286?

Regular septic tank inspections done by a professional plumber can help avert a major disaster caused by a septic system failure. Unfortunately, these are more common than you would think. Because the septic system runs underground, most homeowners tend to ignore it. However, failure to carry out regular inspections of the sewer system can be a health hazard and can also result in destruction of the surrounding property.
Before buying a new home, it is crucial to find out as much as you can about the system. Find out how old the system is and whether or not is has been regularly maintained. Better still, get an inspection done so that you do not start having problems as soon as you buy it and shift in.
What Causes Failure Of The Septic System?
There are several different factors that may cause the septic system to fail. Some of the more common reasons include:
• The septic tank is too small
• The diameter of the drainage pipes are too small
• The drainfield is not large enough or it may not leveled correctly
• The soils in which the system is installed is unsuitable
• Tree roots have entered into the pipes and are causing a blockage
• Faulty surface drainage
The problem is, more often than not, by the time the homeowner realizes there is a problem the damage done would already be quite extensive. To make matters worse, without the proper knowledge and equipment it is almost impossible to determine the cause of the problem. Leaving it unattended or trying to contain the damage by trial and error will only make matters worse. The only way to prevent extensive damage is by calling in a professional to try and resolve the issue.
How Septic Tank Inspection and Maintenance Is Done
When you call a professional plumber to inspect the septic tank and carry out the necessary maintenance, they will come with all of the latest tools.
First they will test for a blockage or seepage by using a sewer camera or by the fluorescent dye method. After determining the exact cause of the problem, they will then use the correct tool to correct it. A sewer snake is usually used to clear a stubborn blockage if that is what is causing the problems. A sewer snake, also called an electric eel, is a long, slender and flexible pipe that is sent into the drain pipe. Though flexible and slender, the pipe is tough enough to dislodge the clog. If the blockage is caused by tree roots that have invaded the pipe, these are usually cut by using a specially designed device called a drain rooter.
Septic tanks help dispose of the dirty water from the house and purify it. However, for a septic tank to function efficiently, it must be maintained properly so that you do not have to suffer from clogged drains and a leaking plumbing system. Septic tank risers will help you have easier access to the area so that you can keep a check on it when necessary and also locate it easily.
Different Types of Septic Tank Risers
A septic tank riser will vary in size depending on the size of your tank. You will usually need one that is between six inches and twelve inches long with a diameter of twelve to twenty-four inches. If the container is buried deep underground, these devices may have to be stacked on top of each other.
There are three kinds of risers that you can purchase depending on the material that is used to make them.
The first and most basic option available is a concrete riser. This is usually quite heavy and it can be a little difficult to install. Concrete also suffer a lot of wear and tear so you may need to replace it often. This means that even though it is the cheapest option in the market, in the long run you may end up spending more because you will have to replace it more often than the others.
The other two options are PVC and Polyethylene risers. These are a lot more durable and they look better than the concrete ones. They are also lighter so it is easier to get them fitted to the tank. During their installation, gaskets are used in order to seal them. This makes the lids fit more securely and it prevents outside matter from getting inside the area. PVC and Polyethylene is also non-reactive to other chemicals so they don't get damaged easily and you will have to replace them very rarely.
Why Get a Riser?
A septic tank riser has two basic functions. First, it helps you locate the area. Even though this may not seem important, locating the container can often get difficult, especially when it is buried deep underground. In fact, building regulations now make it compulsory to install these accessories for all septic tanks that are located in the premises of the building. The other important function is to help you lift the lid of the container. Since these tanks are fastened securely and held down by steel screws, it can get very difficult to lift the lift without a riser. In fact, some risers are even made with structural ribs so that frost does not build on them and they can be used easily during all weather conditions.
Do you know where your septic tank is? Okay, so you can point to an area on your property and say "yeah, it's over there" with a hint of un-sureness. The next question is probably more important then the one just asked. Do you know where the lid to your septic tank is? Does that have you scratching your head?
Septic tanks by their very nature are buried, sometimes 3 feet or deeper underground. Out of sight out of mind so to speak. But that's not necessarily a good thing. There will come a time when your septic system begins to exhibit problems and needs some maintenance/repairs and the tank needs to be pumped out. Having a general idea as to the location of your tank can make getting this simple task done much more difficult.
There are two ways to deal with this problem and one way to make sure that in the future it won't be an issue. First let's look at finding the lid to the septic tank if you don't know where it is. You can either dig for it yourself or have the septic pumping service do it. Doing it your self can be time consuming and not a lot of fun. Having the pumping service do it can be costly.
Generally it is done in this fashion. You or someone you hire has to dig down until they find the top of the septic tank. That is usually the easy part of the process. Once you find the top of the tank you then need to find the lid. This can involve digging concentric circles outward from your initial hole until you find the lid. Once you find the lid now is the time to fix the problem; install a riser.
A septic tank riser is essentially a large tube that extends from the lid of the tank up to the surface of the ground. Once installed it will provide quick access to the septic tank that's easy to find any time there is a problem or it needs to be pumped out.
There are three basic types of risers to choose from; concrete, PVC, and polyethylene.
While concrete risers are generally cheaper it isn't the best choice. A concrete riser is heavy and may need heavy equipment to lift and install it. It is also more apt to leak then the other materials and may have rust problems if rebar is used to strengthen the cement.
PVC and polyethylene risers are lightweight and easy to install. They are resistant to corrosion and of course will not rust. They also incorporate a gasket seal to keep water from entering and prevent sewer gases from escaping from a leaky lid. The increased cost of these two types of risers is well worth it. They are virtually maintenance free and will easily last for the life of the whole septic system.
Every septic tank needs a riser and in many places they are now a code requirement. If you don't have one it might be worth having one installed before something goes wrong with your septic system. Quick access to the tank is one of the first steps to diagnosing any problems.

The Importance of Septic System Maintenance

Anyone who lives in a rural area should know that more often than not sewage is not disposed in the same way as it would be in a city or large town. Rural residents often depend upon septic tank systems being placed on their property to process waste from their homes, making them responsible for the regular maintenance that these systems require. To illustrate the need for maintenance to avoid septic tank repairs, we will give examples of what can go wrong, and how they can be avoided so that owning a septic system remains worry-free.
The Typical Septic System
The septic system most often found in rural areas will consist of a series of pipes connecting it to the home, a holding tank, a filtering system to separate the solid waste from the liquid and connecting pipes that drain off the liquid waste into the yard, in a designated area called the leech field. These systems are often inspected before installation and tested afterwards, to make sure that it is operating properly.
Ownership of a septic system means that everyone understands the importance of having regular maintenance to catch potential problems before they happen. All too often, nothing is done until the worst happens, like the tank developing a leak, or it backs up into an area away from the leech field. Two easy ways to avoid this from happening include monitoring what goes into it as waste and remembering its physical location to avoid accidents.
Physical Damage
When a septic system is installed, the area where the tank is placed should be noted so that no accidental driving or parking of a heavy vehicle can occur. While most tanks are buried deep enough to avoid this, as a general principle it should be avoided to prevent damage to the tank in the future. This includes letting utility workers know where the tank is, especially if you are having grading done on your land. The same goes for the pipes leading from the tank to the house and the drainage pipes leading to the leech field. If any are damaged, they can cause sewage to leak into the land around your home.
Some physical damage cannot be avoided. Shifting soil can damage pipes, or expose them to the elements. Extreme temperature shifts during winters can reach to where the tank is buried, and cause it to expand and crack. Regular maintenance by a licensed provider of septic tanks and septic tank repairs not only ensures that the holding tank is pumped out regularly but also includes a thorough physical inspection of the equipment and can spot potential cracks and leaks.
What Goes In Does Not Always Come Out
The most important thing to remember when using a septic tank system is that all the drains in your home lead to the septic tank, not just the toilet. Not everything is good for it and if the wrong substances enter the septic system, they can cause potentially expensive problems in the future. For example, to prevent unnecessary clogs in the holding tank, never put cooking oils, grease or caustic chemicals of any kind down your kitchen or bathroom drains. These items can congeal, clog up the filtering system or even potentially cause damage to the tank interior, or the pipes.
As far as the toilet is concerned, you can prevent septic tank repairs in the future by not putting anything in there to be flushed away that is not rated for use in a septic system. This includes feminine products, plastic, cleaning aids and even some brands of toilet paper. Unless it says that it is flushable in a septic system, or biodegradable, on the label, play it safe and do not drop and flush, simple as that. Regular maintenance on the system will prevent clogs from occurring and if there is matter in there that can clog it up, it will be removed when the tank is cleared and inspected.
Due to the daily use of septic tanks, the lives of humans are saved from the numerous diseases which get destroyed by these systems. Cesspits are mainly used to treat sewage, which in turn uses bacteria to break down the solid waste into smaller harmless substances. Septic tanks are mainly used in rural areas and in a number of cities in the US, like Gainesville and Buford; you would find numerous homes where such systems are used.
Just like any other utility devices, it is important to hire professional septic tank cleaners every now and then to get the entire system serviced. There are some common problems of septic systems which you should be aware of. Some of them are:
1. Napkins get blocked: It is normally recommended not to put any type of sanitary napkins or towels inside such tanks. These tend to block the entire system and fill up the tank with dirty water and other solid wastes.
2. Susceptible to damage: In most of the cities in the US, like Loganville and Gainesville, it is seen that cesspits get damaged due to playgrounds or storage buildings which are at a close proximity. In such cases the only option left would be to hire professional septic tank cleaners to take care of the problem.
3. Use of garbage disposers may put a lot of pressure on the system: It is best to avoid disposing waste food into the garbage disposers since it may put excessive pressure on the entire system which may prevent it from functioning properly.
4. Excessive water may overload the cesspits: At any time if you notice excessive water going in the septic tank then try to prevent it at all costs. Unreasonable amount of water would prevent the process of breaking down the solid wastes, which may block the entire system in the long run.
5. Grease is hard to break down: Try to avoid dumping excessive grease or cooking oil into the system, as this would block the inlet drains by filling up the upper layer of the cesspits.
A properly designed, constructed and maintained septic system should be virtually trouble free. Unfortunately things do go wrong and problems with the septic tank are usually the cause. But since they are buried, out of sight out of mind so to speak, it's not until a nasty odor starts to hang over the property that the homeowner is aware that something is amiss.
There are several things to watch for that will indicate if you are indeed having issues with your septic system. First, as mentioned earlier, is bad smells emanating from various areas of the house. The smell may be coming from toilets or drains, or it may just be lingering with no real identifiable source.
Toilets that flush slower then normal or backed up drains may also indicate a problem. Of course this may be nothing more then a clogged drain or pipe but if plunging or snaking doesn't fix the problem then it is probably a septic system problem.
You may also notice the proverbial "the grass is always greener over the septic tank" actually coming to life. If the grass over the septic drain field is noticeably more lush then surrounding areas, particularly during dry weather, this may be an indication that there is an issue with the tank.
There are a variety of things that may cause these problems and we have listed them out below.
1. Failure to get the septic tank pumped out at regular intervals. Proper maintenance will keep most septic systems running smoothly and number one on the maintenance list is regularly scheduled removal of built up solids and sludge.
2. Flushing non-biodegradable or slow to degrade items down the toilet or sink drains. Sanitary napkins, paper towels and cotton balls are all able to cause clogs in the systems pipes and the tank. Plastics and Styrofoam are even harder on septic systems as they are nearly impossible to break down and should never be flushed if at all possible.
3. Pouring cooking oil and grease down the sink drain will also cause major issues. It does not break down quickly and will cause clogs in the inlet and outlet drains as well as in the upper chamber. It can also cause odors and make pumping out the tank more difficult.
4. Limit the amount of food particles put into the system. While garbage disposals are a great convenience septic systems aren't designed to break down food wastes.
5. Too much or too little water in the system can also create problems. Excess water in the system can force sludge and solids into the drain field pipes resulting in clogs and environmental hazards. It can also cause a system failure resulting in expensive repairs.
Not enough water is also detrimental and can lead to a die off of the bacteria that breaks down the sewage. These bacteria are responsible for neutralizing the nitrogen that build up in septic tanks.
6. Inadequate tank ventilation can be another problem. Vents are used to ensure adequate airflow through the system and keep the pressure within the tank equalized. If these vents get plugged or don't work correctly there is a good chance that bad odors will result.
7. Dumping chemicals, paints, solvents, herbicides or pesticides into a septic system can cause un-repairable damage resulting in a complete system replacement elsewhere on the property. It can also cause harmful damage to the environment that could take many years to fix before returning to normal.
The best way to prevent septic tank problems is to follow the 7 points listed above and get the tank pumped out and inspected regularly. For most systems this is about every 2 to 3 years. Doing so will minimize potential problems and ensure that your system will work efficiently year after year.